The Seventh Seal (The Criterion Collection)

This is only the 6th Criterion Blu-Ray release that I've seen after The Night of the Hunter (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray], M (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray], Modern Times (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray], Stagecoach (The Criterion Collection) and Seven Samurai (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] and although I liked the 3rd and especially the 5th on that list better this is still a very rewarding film to watch. This version of "The Seventh Seal" firstly comes with an excellent 24-page booklet containing a great essay by Gary Giddins. The picture quality is excellent having been very, very well restored and while not pristine perfect is still very good to watch and one cannot overstate just how much better black and white films look on 1080p. The sound quality is also good although personally I would have liked to have had a DTS HD MA lossless 5.1 surround option but perhaps this mono is the best they could do. The special features are also great with the interviews of Bergman being the standouts.This is just great film-making from every possible angle of evaluation. I loved the theme of the film of finding God in the least obvious places and how death comes for all of us and that although we may delay the inevitable we can never cheat it. Even when Death plays chess with the knight I get the feeling I'm watching a cat playing with a mouse before devouring its prey. It's interesting how the knight goes through so much trouble and suffering not only for himself but also for his clearly not very happy and yet fiercely loyal squire in doing what others like the corrupted seminarian tell him is the way to please and hence to know God by killing Saracens - the very people who think it pleases God to kill clearly mentally unstable women by burning them at the stake and calling them witches - this very knight is left not knowing God and feeling empty while the lowly relatively innocent and trusting lower class performer Jof not only sees the Virgin Mary and the Infant Christ but he also sees Death and hence is able to run away at least for the present from the fate of the rest. Interesting how in the Bible the Beatitudes states how blessed the pure in heart are as they will see God explaining God's favour and blessings on the simple Jof and his family as they are spared the fate of the more complex and higher class knight and his squire. The "Seventh Seal" will now also make it to my very short annual classic film viewing list.Very rewarding viewing and a must-have in any self-respecting movie fan's video library.Very, highly recommended!

Yes, the BD version definitely delivers.As for the film itself, most of you probably have seen this film or some of his other work... so I won't comment much on the film, but rather the technical aspects of this film. I mean, a knight plays chess with Death, what's not to like about that?Stunning image quality and sound. It's actually been a while since I've seen an older version, though I think it wasn't even the old Criterion edition. What I can attest to is that, like "Repulsion", the transfer is simply incredible. There is absolutely no way short of a projection of the film itself that will deliver like this one. The subtitles appear to have been modified a little, being translated probably better for today's modern age. The extras are not extensive, but a nice addition to the BD version of the film. Also included is a nice booklet with the film. It could be considered a "collectors" booklet, as it is nicely put together and informative... but to me it's just something that Criterion added as a bonus. Very nice, though.Bergman's exposures and lighting come through so beautifully in every frame. There are some scenes that come across as "flat" but that has nothing to do with the Criterion transfer and was more than likely on the master print itself. I think this could have been adjusted slightly to get rid of the prominent grays, but it could have been Bergman's intention as well... that I'm not sure about, but it was certainly in the original film. What's gone from the original is a hissy, poppy audio track and there's not a single hint of dust or scratches anywhere. Amazing what Criterion has been doing with these old prints!Keep in mind the aspect ratio is 4:3, (the ratio of what was previously the standard for TVs), not 16:9. It was common for films of that era to be presented in it's full frame form... if you have a projector setup or large enough widescreen television, don't worry it hardly distracts at all.Also, you'll be glad to know that Criterion was smart enough to eliminate those ugly blue cases that most BDs are packed in. They have more specially made cases that are clear and just a couple millimeters deeper (the spine, presumably to make more room for the booklets). Much more attractive on your DVD case than a row of neon-blue cases.